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Senator Chris Murphy On Senate Vote

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) speaks at a press conference with Congress members from Connecticut and a group of 26 cyclists who rode from Newtown, Connecticut in support of common-sense solutions to gun violence on March 12, 2013 in Washington, DC. Each member of the group of cyclists, which included two parents of children who attended Sandy Hook Elementary School, rode in honor of one of the 26 victims killed at the school on December 14, 2012. (Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., speaks at a press conference with Congress members from Connecticut and a group of 26 cyclists who rode from Newtown, Conn., in support of common-sense solutions to gun violence on March 12, 2013 in Washington, D.C. (credit: T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images)

It’s shameful that today so many in the Senate chose to turn their backs on Newtown families, victims of gun violence, and the vast majority of the American public. Ninety percent of Americans support background checks, and the majority of Americans support a ban on high capacity magazines. Today we got 55 votes for a common sense proposal to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, but a Republican filibuster squashed the will of the American people.

I saw cowardice on the Senate floor today, but I have faith that public opinion is moving in only one direction, and that this tide of support for gun violence reform will ultimately prevail. For the last 4 months, the American public has grieved with Newtown families. Americans have felt pain, anger, and heartache as they watched the massacre unfold on December 14. And the only place that public opinion doesn’t seem to register is in the Senate Republican caucus.

I am sadder today than any other day during my time as a public servant, but I am also thankful that the majority of senators did in fact vote in favor of common sense gun reform. The majority of senators, like the majority of Americans, want change. Today proves more than any day prior that the filibuster is a compete perversion of democracy and it needs to end.

Today we lost a battle, but the fight still goes on. Just like the Newtown families, I will fight with every ounce of my being, every minute of every day, to get gun violence legislation over the finish line. This fight is just beginning for me, and I know that we will win it.